The department will launch a three-year professional development series designed to train teachers on the new Common Core standards in English language arts and math next fall. South Dakota is gearing up for full implementation and testing on the Common Core standards in school year 2014-15.

“We want teachers to gain a deep understanding of the new standards and how those standards will impact their instruction, as well as how the standards can be assessed,” said Dr. Melody Schopp, interim secretary of education. “It’s going to be an intensive project – one that requires time and effort. But in the long run, we believe it will be well worth the effort in terms of results for our students.”

The Common Core Professional Development series will be offered over a three-year period. Each year, a series of face-to-face workshops, coupled with online learning, will focus on designated standards. While teachers are not required to participate in all three years, it is highly recommended. The series will provide educators with a systemic model to implement the Common Core within a learning environment rich in collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.

Teachers will be able to earn university credit and/or continuing education contact hours.

“We’ve already taken some feedback from districts regarding the time commitment for teachers to be out of the classroom, and we are going to take that into consideration,” Schopp said. “We will be running a pilot this summer and hope to gain valuable feedback from our participants as to how we can best balance the need for in-depth professional development with the need for teachers to be in their classrooms.”

For more information about the Common Core Professional Development series, click here.